Comments on: Barry Bonds to pay for Bryan Stow’s kids to go to collegehttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/
Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball.Tue, 20 Mar 2018 02:00:19 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: youravgjoe42http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/comment-page-2/#comment-142526
Fri, 27 May 2011 14:51:12 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-142526Wherever you stand on Barry Bonds, its impossible to deny that this individual action was very generous and will have a long meaningful impact for the Stow family. None of us are in Barry’s head, so trying to deconstruct his motives is a useless endeavor. Most people don’t know this about Bonds, but over his career he has poured millions of dollars into charitable ventures. I think its not just possible, but likely that Mr. Bonds has good and bad elements of his character, both equally real. For example, he may be sullen and rude to strangers and reporters in personal interactions, and generous on issues he cares about. I have heard enough stories about donations, and instances of him blowing people off to be reasonably confident that Mr. Bonds is more complex a person then he is given credit. In either event, his donation to the Stow family is a good thing all around.
]]>By: Matthttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141788
Thu, 26 May 2011 12:17:52 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141788I’m willing to assume for the moment that your 80% statistic is real and not merely pulled out of nowhere since the actual number is immaterial…doesn’t such a statistic, along with your other anecdotal evidence say to you that the prison system as a purely penal institution is costing us taxpayers entirely too much money? Instead of throwing people in prison, forcing them to work for next to nothing, and then releasing them, perhaps we should try something like rehabilitation so the numerous drug addicts that ind their way to prison have a shot of being released no longer addicted…explore work release type programs that allow for non-violent offenders to develop real skills that will help them obtain employment upon release…treat humans as humans so they don’t leave the system angry and filled with resentment that will ultimately lead them only capable of interacting with other criminals and never get a chance to learn from their mistakes? There are many many ways that we could lower the recidivism rate, and in the end lower the overall cost of prisons and crime, but aren’t being explored because the prison business is a multi-million dollar enterprise with heavy lobbying power that works hard to ensure that as many individuals are imprisoned as possible, and that they can get away with spending as little as possible to house them like cattle to turn a profit rather than help society.

So yes, my tax dollars should be spent to make sure that people are treated humanely, are fed, housed in a civilized manner, and provided with a base-line tv and antenna to help pass some of the many hours of down time because I like to think that we here in America don’t treat people like animals, aim to provide some hope and help to those that are in need of both, and want our money spent in a manner that will benefit society.

As for the wall that you propose (glossing over the politics because it’s not germane to my point), wouldn’t the better way to have government projects like this built be to have government works projects like in FDR’s New Deal era where instead of merely handing out welfare checks we pay the unemployed to work temporarily and perhaps learn important skills that will help them obtain employment in the future as well?

]]>By: nixonotishttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/comment-page-2/#comment-141756
Thu, 26 May 2011 05:51:02 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141756What point are you trying to make?
]]>By: raysfan1http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141716
Wed, 25 May 2011 23:32:00 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141716rhandome–Don’t you know that the entire offense explosion in the late ’90’s and early 2000’s was steroids-fueled? There couldn’t have been any other factors. Expansion had nothing to do with it, nor juiced balls, body armor, pitchers getting thrown out of games for brushing hitters back, or newer stadiums being built as band boxes. Clearly steroids only affect hitters; they are completely ineffectual for pitchers. Also, don’t confuse me with the facts by pointing out that ballplayers were using steroids in the 1970s and probably earlier than that. Further, please do not remind me that prior to 1991 steroids did not require a prescription in the USA either (and they still do not in some countries where some players are from); it just makes my hair hurt.
]]>By: raysfan1http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141710
Wed, 25 May 2011 23:16:25 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141710Bonds has no need for image repair. While he’s a pariah in most baseball circles, he still draws cheers in San Francisco, which is likely all he cares about. It is indeed a class move, one based on genuine feeling–not on any ulterior motive.
]]>By: lowfundhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/comment-page-2/#comment-141693
Wed, 25 May 2011 22:33:24 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141693Family admits Bryan Stow has Criminal Past

In response to rumors circulating about Bryan Stow’s violent past and criminal history the Stow Family posted the following comment on the Bryan Stow Fund website:

“News & Updates Sunday, May 22, 2011

‘there has been comments and postings regarding Bryan’s past. Bryan was not perfect…nobody is. In the years since, Bryan turned his life around. Regardless of his history, we ask that everyone refrain from posting any judgmental comments. Please be aware that we will delete ANY negative comment. Don’t forget to visit the store to show your support! ‘

Dave, Ann, Erin and Bonnie

Send your love>>”

]]>By: king3319http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/comment-page-2/#comment-141679
Wed, 25 May 2011 22:02:20 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141679Kwphilly….well said my friend. As to the forum of the steroid debate…it’s been done to death. I never cared for his attitude but giving those kids a good start is one hell of a gift. No matter what I may think of the man that was a damn nice thing to do to help Mr. Stows kids. Well done Bonds.
]]>By: rhandomehttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141631
Wed, 25 May 2011 20:34:55 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141631You’re wrong about steroids, but that’s been discussed to death (http://steroids-and-baseball.com for more info). But I just wanted to add that corked bats don’t work; the cork actually absorbs some of the energy from the baseball, leading to shorter fly balls. There was a Mythbusters epidsode about it
]]>By: bleedgreenhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141602
Wed, 25 May 2011 19:38:07 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141602While I am against steroids, its been proven that many pitchers were ALSO on the juice. If a juiced pitcher pitches to a juiced batter, who has the advantage? Steroids don’t make you a better hitter. You still need to actually make proper contact with the ball.
]]>By: pjmarn6http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141599
Wed, 25 May 2011 19:33:38 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141599Matt you never saw a chain gang alongside a highway picking up trash. You never been to New Jersey or Florida and saw convicts chained together and a cop on a horse with a rifle overseeing them? You never heard of prisioners working in prisons earning .15-.25 an hour doing menial labor for minor offenses? Google for more information.
It is entirely possible that the father will never recognize his kids again. The brain damage is severe and you want these miscreants to sit in luxury for the next 10-20 years for what they did? You did not hear the latest news about California prisions. They were told to RELEASE prisioners because of overcrowding. Now you got a choice go to California and live with the newly freed prisoners or volunteer to oversee the border fence with Mexico. BTW the fence is being made where the smugglers were using native indians to help them smuggle drugs across the border.
80% of criminals reoffend. So the next time your house or car or you get mugged remember that you laughed at having the criminals do HARD TIME!
]]>By: pjmarn6http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141588
Wed, 25 May 2011 19:22:42 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141588You really don’t understand the problem behind steroids? Do you understand the problem with spitters or corked bats? When you exploit an unfair advantage to increase your abilities, you drag down the abilities, averages, production etc of the opposing players who are playing fair.
You’re a crook, a liar and a cheat. Is that clear enough. Do you think all those home runs magically started flying out of the ball parks because of global warming? Now what happened to the pitchers ERA? How many more games were won? How did the steroids altered the stattistics and how did it alter the way all future statistics are measured? If you don’t understand all that, then you are incapable of understanding baseball. How many athletes have been tossed from the Olympic games for illegal substances. The bike racing scandals? Why are horses tested after winning a race? Jesus you got to THINK!!
]]>By: pjmarn6http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141575
Wed, 25 May 2011 19:08:24 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141575Matt then we should raise your taxes to pay for feeding them, giving them airconditioned rooms and let them sit around watching tv?
]]>By: rhandomehttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141558
Wed, 25 May 2011 18:39:22 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141558@ adenzeno: that’s a separate issue from whether they were banned by MLB. Unless you think that breaking a law should invalidate a guy’s stats. In which case, I can think of a few players we need to kick out of the H.O.F. …
]]>By: bklynbaseballhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141557
Wed, 25 May 2011 18:36:32 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141557what’s funny is that really the only teammate I’ve read about who didn’t like Barry was Jeff Kent – who wasn’t exactly Mr. Congeniality.
]]>By: rhandomehttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141553
Wed, 25 May 2011 18:32:11 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141553Barry Lamar Bonds is the greatest hitter in Major League Baseball history. He’s far better than the best player that ever played for your team. You’re not fit to speak his name, much less criticize his career.
]]>By: mjaugellihttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141486
Wed, 25 May 2011 16:48:19 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141486good to know, well done by bonds
]]>By: Utley's Hairhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141483
Wed, 25 May 2011 16:44:39 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141483Whoa…kinda harsh for a Canadian, isn’t it? Especially after your Canoildienleafs are going to the Finals….
]]>By: Utley's Hairhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141479
Wed, 25 May 2011 16:41:08 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141479According to the story, Bonds “donated” the money already, so I’m guessing it’s some sort of trust, 529 or escrow account or something similar.
]]>By: mjaugellihttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141460
Wed, 25 May 2011 16:23:08 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141460that’s perfect, especially when you consider the fact that by the time those kids go to school, Bonds may be broke as a result of his legaL issues
]]>By: Utley's Hairhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/#comment-141456
Wed, 25 May 2011 16:19:15 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=59508#comment-141456Though my opinion of his career doesn’t change, Bonds should get his props when they are deserved, and this is one of those cases. I’ll give him a bit of time off for good behavior.
]]>